By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Rain or shine, support for youth mental health stands strong in Caledon.

This was made clear this past weekend as hundreds of riders and supporters attended the 2026 Jack Ride at the Caledon East Community Complex.

Jack Ride is an annual event run by Jack.org that raises funds for critical mental health education and prevention programs for young Canadians in every province and territory. 

Eric Windeler and Sandra Hanington founded “The Jack Project” after the tragic loss of their son Jack, a first-year student at Queen's University, and since 2010, the Jack Ride has been advocating for Youth Mental Health and supporting the systems that support it.

As riders gathered around on the rainy Saturday morning, President and CEO of Jack.org Michael Braithwaite said he “couldn't believe it.”

“[It is] such a show for young people and their mental health when that number of riders came out at 8 a.m. in the rain to ride 100k in 4 hours, [it] shows the dedication of our supporters, it's amazing to see,” said Braithwaite, estimating more than 200 people arrived for the 100 km and 75 km routes, and hundreds more for the remaining 50, 45, 25, and 10km.

“When you see 800 people coming together, in the rain, in the cold, to ride, to raise a million dollars, to support young people's mental health across the country, it's a clear message that you do not have to make it on your own, and that, like we say at Jack.org, we are able to be there for one another, and that's huge,” he said.

“When every person next to you has somehow been affected by mental health in their lives, whether it be themselves, their children, a family member or a friend, this is why we ride,” he said. “Together we are giving young people across the country a huge message when we come together in groups like this, that we can and will do better moving forward.”

In their second year hosting the event in Caledon, he gave a “huge thank you” to the Caledon community.

“The riders always talk about how wonderful the community is, how great the ride is, and despite the weather, it's great energy here, so we're so grateful to everyone involved.”

Each rider that day had their own reason for riding to support youth mental health.

Barb Brophey and more than 40 others attended the ride that day as part of Team Bridget.

“Bridget was a young woman, we all knew. We lost her to suicide, she lost her battle with mental health and we ride with her parents, we ride with her community,” said Brophey.

The team attended that day for the ninth year to honour her.

“She would have been here wholeheartedly participating. She was a wonderful, caring individual, and we ride so other people don't have to go through this,” she said

“There's a lot of joy here, which is great. But it's also hard.”

Noting that this ride means so much to all of them, Brophey has been able to watch the team grow over the years.

“It's just nice to come together and do something, put something good out into the world.”

As the 9:30 a.m. ceremony kicked off for remaining riders, Lily Baker took to the stage to share her own story.

As an advocate for mental health, Baker shared she hasn't always felt that there was a place where she could have these conversations, but that “it's so lovely to find a community in which these conversations are not only encouraged, but they happen.”

“For me, I often struggled, and when I did struggle, I struggled alone and quietly,” said Baker.

She said that when she moved away to university, she lost many of the support systems she had growing up and had to navigate new challenges and experiences while feeling “a little bit on my own.”

“Through this community, I've been able to take that isolation and have the opportunity to connect with other young people, amazing young leaders, and people who are making a real difference in this world,” said Baker. “Seeing all of you here, ready to bike, showing up for those people in your life that you care about is so impactful.”

“Every conversation we have, every person that's here, every donation, all of these things matter so much and make all of these contributions possible for an organization that pours back into young people, leadership, education, community care, all of those things are things that Jack.org has given me, and that I'm so grateful for,” said Baker.

Even though the ride itself has ended, the chance to support Jack Ride's mission for supporting youth mental health has not.

Until the end of June, across Canada, individuals can participate on their own or with a team in Jack Ride, no matter where they are, and the support and donations go back into the mission to pedal for youth mental health.

To learn more, visit www.jack.org/ride-location/caledon-on.